SANTA CRUZ >> Highway 1 was shut down for a mile north of Western Boulevard while Santa Cruz and Cal Fire crews doused a roughly quarter-mile wildfire that climbed a grassy hillside.

The fire was put out shortly after air support arrived about 12:45 p.m. Ground crews cleared a fire line up the hillside as traffic backed up for miles north and south of the closure. Red retardant covered the hillside where the fire’s progress was abruptly stopped.

Diev Hart of Santa Cruz was cycling in the area when the fire broke out.